DDB Hamburg prove that the Weapen is mightier than the sword

Across globe, journalists are constantly under the threat of violence, and many unfortunately end up as victims, as simply researching authoritarian regimes or organised crime can be a life-threatening profession. In 2015 alone, 144 reporters were killed. And with their lives, the principle of freedom of information has been all but lost. To set an example against the violent suppression of freedom of speech, Reporters without Borders teamed up with DDB Hamburg to prove that the pen was truly mightier than the sword (or in this case, the gun) by developing The Weapen; a defiant symbol for freedom of information. At the beginning of 2016, 144 limited edition pens were produced, symbolising the 144 journalists that were killed pursuing stories in 2015. The pens were made from fired-off bullet casings, with the bullet-pens then mounted, engraved and stored in ammunition boxes by hand.

“The Weapen is proof (also turned into a product) that the pen is mightier than the sword”

Renowned journalists such as Giovanni di Lorenzo (Chief Editor, Die Zeit), who was voted as Germany’s second most important opinion leader by GQ in 2016, Georg Mascolo (Head of the Research Cooperation of NDR, WDR and Süddeutsche Zeitung), Peter-Matthias Gaede (Journalist, Gruner + Jahr), Gemma Pörzgen (freelance Journalist and author) and Jonas Wresch (freelance photographer) have already supported the project by using the pen as a tool for the fight for freedom of information. The thoughts they captured with The Weapen are now being published as CLPs, print and online banners and are being shared via social networking. They describe what personal freedom of information means to them and why they think it is in danger.

The Weapen – For Freedom Of Information

Another journalist already using the Reporters Without Borders pen as a force for good is Jörg Quoos, Chief Editor of the FUNKE editorial team in Berlin, who said of the project: “We need to fight for freedom of press on a daily basis – because it’s much more dangerous to tyrants and dictators than any weapons, boycotts, or resolutions.” Giovanni di Lorenzo, added: “Many people now spend much of their time in a parallel universe online and are trapped there: they only obtain information that confirms the opinions they already have. Independent, boldly investigative, transparent media are more important than ever before when it comes to dispelling rumours, conspiracy theories, and disinformation.”

“We need to fight for freedom of press, because it’s much more dangerous to tyrants and dictators than any weapon”

Fabian Roser, Executive Creative Director at DDB Hamburg, said: “The Weapen is proof (also turned into a product) that the pen is mightier than the sword. By purchasing it, you not only support freedom of information, you can and should also take action in its name.” You can find more information on the projects that Reporters without Borders support with the proceeds of the sales of the pens on The Weapen campaign website. Whilst the initial, limited edition version is sold out, the second, unlimited edition of the pen is available now in the RWB online shop and 100% of the proceeds will be invested in RWB projects.